Start A Boat Club Franchise

Franchise FAQ’s

A: Not difficult at all! Nautical Boat Clubs have superior availability. Collectively, our clubs have fulfilled more than 100,000 boat-reservation requests, with every one of our boat clubs fulfilling over 97% of member reservation requests since the day they opened. We’re the only boat club with this capability – and it’s one of the main reasons our members rate us as superior!

A: For their monthly dues payment, members of our Boating Country Clubs® have unlimited use of a wide variety of boats. Boat timeshares restrict the time and number of uses of their boats; boat leasing typically applies to only one boat; and boat rentals charge every time a boat is used. Additionally, we’re the only boat-club franchise that buys new boats for our fleets each year – so members always have fresh, shiny boats from which to choose!

A: Nautical Boat Clubs has an initial one-time franchise fee of $35,000: $5,000 upfront, with the remainder due upon approval of fleet financing and execution of a marina lease. Overall startup ranges from $301,900 to $545,500; if the boats are financed [as they usually are], then liquid capital startup requirements are $100,000-$200,000. Monthly royalties are 5% of gross sales.

A:Typically, 6-8 months. Locating a suitable marina, negotiating a reasonable lease and financing the boat fleet can take 60 days or more. New boats must be ordered 3-4 months prior to opening to account for build time. Training and set up take another 30-60 days.

Initial conversations to review qualifications based on business experience and financial strength

We will spend time getting to know each other. We want to know who you are, what makes you successful and what you are looking to accomplish. We will share with you who we are and what we are looking for. This process may take several weeks.

If we find that our goals coincide, we will forward you our Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

Step 3: Discovery Day Meeting

Discovery Day: tour club, meet the team, see firsthand what’s involved in operating our boat club system, and talk to one of our owners about his experience, as well as the dock master and club members.

Step 4: Legal

Discuss deal terms and review legal documents

Formalize and execute the Franchise Agreement; Payment of franchise fees

Step 5: Welcome & Club Opening

We help you select a suitable marina, and help you negotiate a reasonable lease.

We help you prepare a commercial loan package for your bank to secure fleet financing. We also advise you on the boats to include in your fleet.

We provide 2-4 weeks of training, so you learn and are comfortable with every element of our boat club system. You receive our comprehensive operations manual and our exclusive software program, and we teach you our club-management system, as well as how to orient new members about club rules and proper boat-handling procedures.

We give you guidance on setting up your new business, including: purchasing of fleet insurance, water toys, office computers and other equipment, and furniture; advertising and marketing; and hiring and training of a dock master.

We come to your club for your grand opening, to make sure all goes smoothly during your launch.

A: Yes. Nautical Boat Clubs are ideal for areas with a shorter boating season. Compare the boat payments, off-season storage, winterizing, etc., expenses boat owners face, and during the same period of time, club membership comes out with much less cost and much more convenience.

A: We provide up to 30 days of training at our headquarters, onsite opening assistance and follow-up, our confidential operations manual, and advertising and marketing materials designed to produce hundreds of leads. Best of all, you gain access to our proprietary club-management software, which includes: our “bulletproof” reservations system; automated email communications; tracking of current member activity, new member prospects, and boat inventory and maintenance; robust reporting; and all the documents you’ll need to run your business, from legal agreements to member newsletters. Click here for in-depth information about our training, support and software system.

"The staff has always been friendly and helpful. Last summer, a dockhand helped me take out a speedboat for the first time in choppy water. He guided me out of the dock area and into open water, then jumped off and swam back to the dock. Talk about service!"

"I studied all the clubs in my area, and this one is definitely the best. They have been around the longest, while others have come and gone. They have newer, nicer boats than the other clubs, and they have more reasonable and flexible pricing plans."

"Everything is just as they promise you – pay your monthly dues, and you have access to nearly 30 great boats.
Every single staff person is super helpful and courteous … [they] do everything
humanly possible to make your day at the lake the best it can be."